PAINESVILLE, Ohio – As the temperatures dropped outside across Northeast Ohio, the Lake Erie wrestling program played host to their final home dual meet of the year as they played host to the Seton Hill Griffins. In addition to the competition on the mats, the event also included senior day festivities for the Storm wrestlers. Fortunately for the Storm faithful, Lake Erie was able to pull away with a climatic 24-20 victory. 

The dual meet got off to a great start for the Storm as both Corey Gamet and Jordan Rodriguez won their initial bouts with back to back pins in the first two bouts of the night. After Seton Hill won the next bout, Jack Haskin was able to get the Storm back on track with a hard fought win in his bout at the 149 pound weight class. However, the Griffins would not concede the night easily as they earned wins in the next 4 consecutive bouts. Then down in the team score, senior and former All-American Christopher Droege set up the Storm with a chance to seal the dual win by close win in his 197 pound bout. This would set up heavyweight senior Ronnie D'Amico in the climatic final bout of the night with a chance to win the event for the Storm. D'Amico rose to the occasion and sealed the 24-20 win with a dramatic pin. 

However, this was not the end of the competition for the Storm. While the next 5 bouts did not apply to the team score for the night, they did provide some exciting wrestling. Jacob Johnson started off the extra bouts with a hard fought win in the 125 pound class. Shortly thereafter, Jacob Potok and Ryan Wehner were able to win their bouts with pins. In the final bout of the night, Paul Scaramuzzino was able to win in exciting fashion by major decision. 

The Storm wrestlers conclude their home schedule with the win over Seton Hill, but they are certainly not done wrestling this year. Lake Erie hits the mats again on Sunday, February 13th when they head just up the road to wrestle in the John Carroll Open.